• company history
• franchise information
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• shareholder information
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company history

In 1983 a co-operative comprising 5 Book and Stationery retailers was formed and named Nationwide Stationers. The purpose of the cooperative was to form a buying group to gain access to better pricing and products. A short time later by May 1984 the group had 62 members.

Over that time the level of brand exposure and advertising increased and growth was so strong that in 1987 it became necessary to re-brand. The Paper Plus retail brand was launched with huge excitement and advertising. At this time a second tier business was also formed with 11 of the Nationwide Stationers members under the brand name – Local Value. This soon grew to 40 stores but was later sold.

In 1997 the brand was refreshed and updated to give it more consumer appeal and a more modern look and a new Paper Plus brand logo launched to the market. Fly Buys, a brand new loyalty program, launched in the New Zealand market in 1997 and Paper Plus was one of the first founding retailers to join the program. This has now grown to be one of the most successful loyalty programs worldwide and Paper Plus has remained the only Bookseller and Stationer with Fly Buys.

In 2000 Paper Plus purchased Topline and Paperworld franchises which were re-branded to Take Note. Take Note stores formed an integral part of their local communities, developing a dynamic identity on the retail landscape that is both bold and welcoming. The distinctive purple and orange combined with the modern logo give Take Note a unique image in the market.

Further expansion ensued in 2005 when the Books and More franchise was purchased from New Zealand Post. The 3 brands were rationalised in 2006 into two main brands: Paper Plus and Take Note and have a representation in almost every town and city in New Zealand.

The Paper Plus brand has become an iconic retail brand within the Books and Stationery industry with high visibility and recognised around New Zealand. Today Paper Plus continues to grow with a combined turnover in excess of $100 million a year and still growing. The Paper Plus chain is well represented throughout New Zealand and includes a strong presence in both city and provincial centres, with over 100 stores there is a location from Kaitaia to Invercargill.

After extensive research and analysis Paper Plus opened a brand “new look” Paper Plus store at Sylvia Park Shopping centre, Auckland on June 2007. This is the beginning of a new look and new feel Paper Plus and this launched the repositioning of the brand, to a more customer centric model. The brand change demonstrates market leadership, gains attention in a competitive market and position Paper Plus as the lifestyle choice in Books, Stationery, Cards and Paper products and associated gifts. This concept is planned to roll out across all Paper Plus stores in the future.

The Take Note brand now has over 70 stores throughout New Zealand - all locally owned and operated. A number of the stores now have a full NZ Post agency and may incorporate Kiwi Bank services and Lotto.

The Take Note brand is defined as a local store, convenient and offering “local solutions” to the their community. These stores tailor ranges and special offers to suit their local demographic and community profile which is different around the country.  

Take Note stores belong to the highly successful AA Rewards loyalty Programme. One of the biggest loyalty programs in the country.

Office Spot is newest addition to the Paper Plus Group.  The first store opened in Ashburton in October 2007 and will fulfill the stationery and office needs of both home offices and businesses throughout New Zealand.  With many locations already identified Office Spot will start to make its market on the New Zealand retail landscape over the coming years.